Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is a high-performance dual-tower CPU air cooler designed for efficient heat dissipation. It features six heat pipes, dual 120mm PWM fans, and AGHP technology to ensure optimal cooling for a wide range of Intel and AMD processors. This manual provides detailed instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance to help you achieve the best performance from your cooler.

Image: The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler, showcasing its dual-tower design and black aesthetic.

2. Package Contents

Verify that all components are present in your package before beginning installation.

• Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler (Heatsink)
• 2 x TL-C12C 120mm PWM Fans
• Fan Clips (for mounting fans to heatsink)
• Intel Mounting Hardware (backplate, standoffs, brackets, screws for LGA 115X/1200/1700)
• AMD Mounting Hardware (standoffs, brackets, screws for AM4/AM5)
• Thermalright TF7 Thermal Paste
• Fan Y-Cable (for connecting both fans to a single CPU_FAN header)
• Instruction Manual

Image: All components included in the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE package, laid out for inspection.

3. Compatibility

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler supports a wide range of CPU sockets:

• Intel: LGA 115X (1150, 1151, 1155, 1156), LGA 1200, LGA 1700
• AMD: AM4, AM5

Image: Visual representation of supported Intel and AMD CPU sockets.

4. Key Features

• Dual-Tower Design: Features a twin-tower heatsink with extensive fin area for superior heat dissipation.
• 6 Heat Pipes with AGHP Technology: Six 6mm U-shaped nickel-plated pure copper heat pipes utilize Anti-Gravity Heat Pipe (AGHP) technology to ensure consistent performance regardless of mounting orientation.
• Dual TL-C12C PWM Fans: Two 120mm PWM fans (TL-C12C) provide balanced airflow and static pressure, operating at 1550 RPM ±10% with a low noise level of ≤25.6 dB(A).
• Pure Copper Base: Equipped with a pure copper base and full electroplating reflow welding process for optimal thermal conductivity.
• RAM Clearance: Designed to provide adequate clearance for memory modules.

Image: Illustration of AGHP III Technology with six U-shaped heat pipes for efficient thermal transfer.

Image: Depiction of the cooler's components working together for rapid heat dissipation, including dual fans and dual tower fins.

Image: Close-up of the double tower heatsink design, highlighting the extensive fin area.

Image: Detailed view of the U-shaped nickel-plated copper heat pipes, emphasizing AGHP technology.

5. Setup and Installation

This section provides detailed instructions for installing your Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler. Please refer to the official installation video for a visual guide.

5.1. Intel LGA 1700 Installation

1. Install Backplate: Place the Intel LGA 1700 backplate from the back side of the motherboard, aligning the holes.
2. Install Standoffs: Install four Intel 1700 plastic standoffs onto the backplate from the front side of the motherboard.
3. Install Metal Brackets: Place two Intel metal brackets onto the plastic standoffs.
4. Secure Brackets: Use four Intel screws to secure the metal brackets through the 1700 mounting holes. Tighten them evenly.
5. Apply Thermal Compound: Remove the protective plastic sticker from the heatsink base. Apply a small amount of thermal compound (included) onto the center of the CPU's Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS).
6. Mount Heatsink: Carefully place the heatsink onto the CPU, aligning the mounting nuts with the screws on the metal brackets.
7. Tighten Heatsink: Use a screwdriver to tighten both nuts on the heatsink evenly until secure. Do not overtighten.

5.2. AMD AM4/AM5 Installation

1. Remove Stock Brackets: Remove the plastic retention brackets from the motherboard, but keep the original AM4 backplate.
2. Install Standoffs: Install four AM4 plastic standoffs onto the motherboard's existing backplate from the front side.
3. Install Metal Brackets: Place two metal AM4 brackets onto the plastic standoffs.
4. Secure Brackets: Use four AM4 screws to secure the metal brackets. Tighten them evenly.
5. Apply Thermal Compound: Remove the protective plastic sticker from the heatsink base. Apply a small amount of thermal compound (included) onto the center of the CPU's Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS).
6. Mount Heatsink: Carefully place the heatsink onto the CPU, aligning the mounting nuts with the screws on the metal brackets.
7. Tighten Heatsink: Use a screwdriver to tighten both nuts on the heatsink evenly until secure. Do not overtighten.

5.3. Fan Installation (Common Procedure)

1. Attach Fan Clips: Install the metal fan clips onto both 120mm fans.
2. Mount Fans: Carefully attach both fans to the heatsink using the installed fan clips. Ensure the fans are oriented to push air through the heatsink towards the rear of the case. Adjust fan mounting position for RAM clearance if necessary.
3. Connect Fans: Connect both fan cables to the provided fan Y-Cable.
4. Connect to Motherboard: Plug the fan Y-Cable into the CPU_FAN socket on your motherboard.

6. Operating Instructions

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE utilizes PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) fans. This allows your motherboard to automatically control the fan speed based on CPU temperature, optimizing for both cooling performance and noise levels. Ensure your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings are configured to use PWM control for the CPU_FAN header.

7. Maintenance

• Dust Cleaning: Regularly inspect the heatsink fins and fan blades for dust accumulation. Use compressed air or a soft brush to gently remove dust. Excessive dust can impede airflow and reduce cooling efficiency.
• Thermal Paste: The thermal paste typically lasts for several years. If you notice a significant increase in CPU temperatures, consider reapplying fresh thermal paste.
• Fan Inspection: Periodically check the fan blades for any damage or obstructions. Ensure the fan cables are securely connected.

8. Troubleshooting

• High CPU Temperatures:
  • Ensure the heatsink is securely mounted and making proper contact with the CPU.
  • Verify that thermal paste was applied correctly and evenly.
  • Check fan orientation; ensure fans are pushing air through the heatsink.
  • Clean any dust accumulation from the heatsink fins and fan blades.
• Fans Not Spinning/Noisy:
  • Check if the fan Y-cable is correctly plugged into the CPU_FAN header on the motherboard.
  • Ensure the fans are properly connected to the Y-cable.
  • Inspect fan blades for any obstructions.
  • Verify BIOS/UEFI settings for CPU_FAN control.

9. Specifications

10. Warranty and Support

For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the official Thermalright website or contact their customer service directly. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.

Official Website: www.thermalright.com